Medicos asked to adhere to SUP on swine flu

In the wake of medicos at Lok Nayak hospital contracting swine flu, Delhi government Friday directed all the 25 designated hospitals to strictly adhere to the Standard Universal Precautions while dealing with H1N1 influenza patients.

New Delhi: In the wake of medicos at Lok Nayak hospital contracting swine flu, Delhi government Friday directed all the 25 designated hospitals to strictly adhere to the Standard Universal Precautions while dealing with H1N1 influenza patients.

"We have directed the hospital heads to re-sensitise their medical staff regarding observance of Standard Universal Precautions (SUPs) while dealing with patients of swine flu.

"The SUPs include using of alcohol based hand rub, repeated washing of hands, using of mask, staying at an arm's length while treating the patient and using personal protective equipments while doing any interventions," said Dr S K Sharma, Director of Health Services, Delhi government.

Also, 33 new cases of swine flu were reported today taking thw total number of cases to 393, of which five persons have died.

"We have also asked the hospitals to use the drugs judiciously only for H1N1 postive patients who are symptomatic as swine flu is a self-limiting disease and medicines are given to break the chain so that the infected person cannot spread the virus in the community," he said.

The Health Secretary S C L Das held a review meeting with the medical superitendents of all the 25 designated hospitals which include eight private hospitals to assess the status of the disease in the city.

"During the meeting, the preparedness of the hospitals were checked and also the availability of drugs and logistics like protective gears and viral transport medium was reveiwed and it was found that we are well equipped," he said.

Health department will tomorrow issue Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) regarding how to manage the disease and what precautions are to be followed for people.

Delhi government is also providing medicines to the government of Rajasthan.